University of Virginia Library

Plan Receives
City Approval

The Charlottesville City Council endorsed
the creation of a seven-member housing
advisory committee at this week's Monday
afternoon meeting, although it will not
officially set up the committee until the details
of "ex-officio" membership are ironed out.

More than 100 local residents attended the
meeting, which was the first since the Council
decided to meet in the afternoon instead of at
night. Several citizens had protested the change,
saying the move was to prevent complaints
from arising at the meeting, such as the Carver
Wall incident.

Extra Members

The Council spent some time trying to
decide whether extra members should merely
serve as consultants or be part of the actual
committee. They set terms of three years for
three committee members and two years for
the other four, it will act on establishing the
committee at its next meeting.

The committee's eight duties will include
advising the council on specific housing
programs and suggesting changes in city
ordinances and regulations to relieve the
housing shortage in the city.

The committee is expected to work closely
with the Charlottesville Housing Foundation,
which has raised about $25,000 towards
alleviating housing problems.

League Of Women Voters

A three-page statement from the League of
Women Voters also was accepted by the
Council, in which the League suggested the
committee should provide "informed and
creative leadership" instead of "years of study
and talk."

The League also urged the Council to
co-ordinate the various activities of housing
groups in the city to avoid duplication and
multiplication of effort, and to function
publicly, inviting public attendance at the
meetings.

"We assume," the statement added, "that
you are ready to lead the community to
implement its recommendations."